Doug Emhoff Says Kamala Harris 'Always Steps Up' for His Children, Cole and Ella: 'Those Kids Are Her Priorities'

"Those of you who belong to blended families know that they can be a little complicated," Emhoff said at the DNC on Aug. 20. "But as soon as our kids started calling her Momala, I knew we’d be okay"

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff shared several personal anecdotes during his speech at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

Emhoff, 59, took the stage in Chicago to give viewers a deeper understanding of his upbringing — and his relationship to his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris, who is currently running for president alongside Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

After talking about his childhood in suburban New Jersey, and the series of jobs he worked to put himself through law school in Los Angeles — including waiting tables, parking cars and working at McDonald's — he shared why Harris "was exactly the right person for me at an important moment in my life."

Related: Cole Emhoff Recalls Stepmom Kamala Harris Falling in Love with His Father in Sentimental DNC Video

Emhoff met Harris, 59, in 2013 on a blind date, and got married to her the following year. He has two children, Cole, 29, and Ella, 25, from his previous marriage to Kerstin Emhoff, whom Harris considers a close friend.

"Those of you who belong to blended families know that they can be a little complicated, but as soon as our kids started calling her Momala, I knew we’d be okay," Emhoff said in his speech, adding that Ella calls him, Kerstin and Harris a "three-headed parenting machine."

Related: Who Is Doug Emhoff's Ex-Wife? All About Kerstin Emhoff and Her Friendship with Kamala Harris

Emhoff explained how Harris earned the trust of his kids and their friends after joining the family.

"Now Cole and Ella’s friends knew that when they’d come over for Sunday dinner with Momala, it was going to be real talk," he said. "In between taking cooking instructions, they’d have to answer questions about what problem they wanted to solve in the world. They learned that you always got to be prepared, because Kamala is going to prosecute the case."

Related: Kamala Harris on Her Marriage, What Keeps Her Up at Night and the Beyoncé Song She Calls Her Anthem (Exclusive)

He then talked about the honor Harris felt being asked to officiate Cole's wedding to Greenley Littlejohn in October 2023.

"In the same breath that Cole and Greenley told us that they were engaged, they asked Kamala to officiate their wedding. And in the same way that she always steps up when it matters, Kamala put so much into those remarks and she bound them in a book that matcher her dark red dress, and then turned that into a gift for the happy couple," he said.

Harris told PEOPLE shortly after the wedding that being asked to join their ceremony "meant so much for so many reasons."

Related: Kamala Harris Shares the Marriage Advice She Gave Stepson Cole Emhoff (Exclusive)

Emhoff shared that Ella and Harris still find time to talk regularly amid the family's whirlwind experience on the campaign trail.

"A few days ago, during this incredible time we’re going through, there was a brief window when Kamala was back at home. I saw her sitting in her favorite chair, and in the middle of a wild month, I just hoped that she was having a quiet moment to herself. But then I realized she was on the phone," Emhoff said.

"And of course my mind went to all the potential crises that the vice president could be dealing with. Was it domestic? Was it foreign? Was it campaign? I could see she was focused, and all I knew was that it must be something important," he continued. "And it turns out it was — Ella had called her. That’s Kamala. Those kids are her priorities, and that scene was a perfect map of her heart. She’s always been there for our children, and I know she’ll always be there for yours, too."

Related: Kamala Harris' Stepdaughter Ella Emhoff Calls Out J.D. Vance's 'Childless' VP Remark: 'I Love My 3 Parents'

Before becoming second gentleman, Emhoff was also a lawyer. When Harris announced her 2020 primary campaign for the presidency, Emhoff took a leave of absence from his law firm to support her. When she instead joined the Democratic ticket as Joe Biden's running mate and was successfully elected to the vice presidency, Emhoff announced that he would leave his firm to join her in Washington.

Since becoming second gentleman in 2021, Emhoff has been teaching at Georgetown University Law Center.

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Like his wife, who made history as the first woman, first Indian American and first Black vice president, Emhoff made history in more ways than just being the first second gentleman.

Related: Doug Emhoff Opens Up About His Jewish Faith and Historic Role: 'I Would Have Said, "There's No Way" '

Emhoff is the first Jewish spouse of any president of vice president, and made history lighting the White House menorah while celebrating Hanukkah in 2021. He also lit the national menorah that year.

The second gentleman is also an outspoken opponent of antisemitism — an issue that he's said Harris encouraged him to take on in his role.

“I know I have an obligation to our Jewish community as the first Jewish person in this role,” he previously said in January during an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer.

“There’s high expectations and there’s a lot of accountability — I take that extremely seriously. So, no matter how bad I might be feeling personally, it’s not going to stop me from continuing to use my voice, this microphone, to advocate against antisemitism, against hate, and to push our coalitions back together so we can fight this thing together.”

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